Grand Expectations

The wise guide to navigating family life as a grandparent Grandparents are more important in families than ever before, with millions providing free childcare. But while the joys of being a grandparent are widely celebrated, the challenges and dilemmas are often overlooked. What should you do if you don't agree with your daughter-in-law's parenting? Is it possible to build a close relationship with grandchildren when you live far apart? And above all, how do you juggle your own ambitions with your family's needs? Celia Dodd speaks to grandmothers, grandfathers and adult children and draws on the latest research to help both generations negotiate what can at times be an emotional minefield. Grand Expectations shows how grandparents can harvest their wisdom and experience in nurturing these precious relationships.

Celia Dodd is an author and journalist with over 30 years' experience of writing about family and relationships for national newspapers and magazines, including The Times, The Independent and Radio Times. Her previous books include All Grown Up, Not Fade Away and The Empty Nest. Celia has 6 grandchildren who she looks after regularly.

Introduction 1. Becoming the grandparent you want to be 2. Building a close relationship with your grandchild: babies to young adults 3. Your grandchild's parents: Your adult child 4. Your grandchild's parents: Your daughter-in-law or son-in-law 5. Childcare and babysitting 6. Grandfathers 7. Single grandparents 8. Number one grandparents? Paternal and maternal grandparents 9. Longing for a grandchild: Supporting your adult child through fertility treatment 10. If your child divorces or your own marriage ends Conclusion Resources Bibliography Acknowledgements Index